Overview

Communication is the process of sending and receiving messages. Writing and speaking are two forms of communicating with words. Messages may also be delivered through nonverbal communication (such as body language) and symbols (such as the "peace" sign). Interpersonal communication takes place any time messages are transmitted between two or more people.

Command of language, posture, eye contact, gestures, and other speech basics are certainly important to oral communication. However, effective and responsible speech must be built on a solid foundation of values, or ethics. This ethical foundation consists of three essential elements: striving to be a good person; communicating constructively; and caring about the audience.

A good speaker must have proper motivation—the driving force behind the words. Two internal forces should motivate speech: (1) the desire to treat both people and situations with fairness and respect and to avoid stereotyping; (2) the desire to set a good example for others.